The only way to get to Carnegie Hall is practice, or so the old joke goes, and in the upcoming biopic Florence Foster Jenkins, Meryl Streep stars as a wealthy socialite who dreams of singing opera at the famed concert hall. The only thing standing in her way is her less-than-pitch-perfect voice — and no amount of practice can improve her skills.

Philomena director Stephen Frears helms this look at Jenkins, a real-life socialite whose love for music was trumped only by her lack of talent. Simon Helberg costars as Cosme McMoon, the accompanist Jenkins hires for her Carnegie Hall performance, with Hugh Grant as Jenkins’ partner and manager, St. Clair Bayfield.

Florence Foster Jenkins opens in U.S. theaters on Aug. 12.

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